Mariah Carey's Rep Defends Her Over Muammar Gaddafi Concert

March 05, 2011 06:00:37 GMT

Insisting that Mariah Carey had no idea who paid her, the publicist says, 'Now it's become an issue in hindsight, which is sort of ridiculous.'

Photo credit: Apega/WENN

Mariah Carey's publicist has defended the singer's decision to perform for relatives of despised Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and pocket $1 million for the gig, insisting the tyrant was not in the news at the time. Carey has recently pledged to hand over the proceeds of her next single, "Save Tte Day", to charity after admitting she's "embarrassed" about the New Year's Eve St. Barts party concert hosted by Gaddafi's son.

But the singer's representative Connie Filippello insists Carey was not lying when she said she had no idea who was paying her fee for the show. The publicist tells WENN, "She and other acts like Beyonce and Usher have performed in St. Barts over the last few years at New Year's Eve parties thrown by the sons of vicious, crazy dictator Muammar Gaddafi. At the time, Libya was not in the news. The shows were booked by a name promoter who probably was not forthcoming about the true nature of the underwriters. Now it's become an issue in hindsight, which is sort of ridiculous."

"Mariah is not happy about what occurred and is stepping up to the plate. First, she tells me that a song she will record for her album, called Save the Day, will only generate funds to be donated for human rights issues. She may even set up her own foundation."

"She's done this before. All the money ever made from the song Hero has gone to charity - millions. She's also donated millions from DVDs and from the song One Sweet Day, which she recorded with Boyz II Men. Carey has always been very philanthropic. She still runs her annual Camp Mariah through the Fresh Air Fund; she supports it financially. She's even given her image to PETA to sell."

Carey's official statement on the matter reads, "I was naive and unaware of who I was booked to perform for. I feel horrible and embarrassed to have participated in this mess. Going forward, this is a lesson for all artists to learn from. We need to be more aware and take more responsibility regardless of who books our shows. Ultimately we as artists are to be held accountable."

Beyonce has confirmed she has already handed the money she made from her Gaddafi show over to charity and Nelly Furtado intends to do the same. Gaddafi has become one of the world's least popular leaders in recent weeks after refusing to give up power in Libya, despite ongoing protests. As a result, many nations have imposed sanctions on the country in a bid to force the tyrant to listen to his people and resign from office.